Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), now the flagship party of a coalition of major opposition figures, has declared its readiness to win multiple seats in today’s by-elections across 16 constituencies in 12 states, in what is widely seen as a litmus test for its 2027 ambitions. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting by-elections to fill vacant legislative seats at both national and state levels. These include two Senate seats in Edo Central and Anambra South, five House of Representatives seats, and nine State Assembly constituencies across states like Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, and Zamfara. The ADC’s participation in…

Umar Sani, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former media aide to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, has dismissed speculation that Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi is planning to return to the PDP. Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday, Sani said recent developments indicate Obi is unlikely to rejoin his former party, despite ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections. “Peter Obi has just, of late, yesterday, directed all his supporters to vote for an African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate while he is still in the Labour Party,” Sani noted. “The…

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve longstanding issues affecting polytechnic education, warning that failure to act could trigger a nationwide strike disrupting academic activities. Speaking on Friday, ASUP President Shammah Kpanja outlined key demands, including the urgent establishment of the National Polytechnics Commission, a dedicated regulatory body for polytechnics similar to those for universities and colleges of education. He expressed frustration over delays in the legislative process to create the commission. Kpanja also criticised the ongoing reliance on external consultants for accreditation exercises, questioning the competence and background…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims that its recent sting operation, which led to the arrest of 93 suspected internet fraudsters, targeted the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The rebuttal follows strong condemnation by the OOPL management on Wednesday, which accused the EFCC of violating the rights of guests at the OOPL Guest House and described the late-night raid as a “calculated attack” on former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The management demanded ₦3.5 billion in compensation and a public apology within seven days, threatening legal action if their demands are not met. In…

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has restated his administration’s unwavering position against negotiating with bandits, declaring that his government will not legitimise criminality by engaging with those responsible for terrorising the state. Speaking on Thursday during a visit to several communities recently attacked by gunmen, the governor made clear that his administration would neither offer dialogue nor concessions to armed groups. His remarks come amid renewed attacks in parts of the state, which have left dozens dead and thousands displaced in recent weeks. “I made it very clear from day one — we will never negotiate with bandits,” Lawal…

The recent arrest of former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has drawn sharp reactions from prominent figures across Northern Nigeria, sparking debate over the impartiality of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war and raising fears of political witch-hunting. Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and two-term governor, was detained on Monday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling ₦189 billion during his tenure. Investigators claim he violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. However, the arrest has triggered widespread controversy, with…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday gave the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to constitute the governing board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and address alleged diversion of workers’ funds by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). The ultimatum came after a Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on August 13, 2025, where the NLC deliberated on pressing issues affecting workers, including a leadership crisis in Edo State’s NLC council, concerns over NSITF, and the governance vacuum at PENCOM. In a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the Congress condemned the government’s diversion of 40% of…

A recent sermon by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has sparked intense debate within Nigeria’s Christian community. The controversy centres on remarks Fatoyinbo made about the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). In a now-viral video clip, Fatoyinbo praised Babalola as “anointed… so anointed,” but controversially claimed that “all the grace just went like that” because the evangelist “had no money.” He also recounted an incident where a python reportedly dried up after crossing Babalola’s leg. Fatoyinbo said, “I was studying recently about what Apostle Babalola…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it terms an “excessive foreign travel culture,” highlighting that the president has been absent from Nigeria for nearly a quarter of his tenure. In a statement released on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC claimed that Tinubu has undertaken 40 international trips in 26 months, spending approximately 181 days abroad. The party described this as an unprecedented record among Nigerian and African leaders in recent times. The ADC argued that Tinubu’s frequent travels come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with…

Supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, have pledged to resist any efforts to prevent him from contesting in the 2027 presidential election. The Obidients made this declaration in response to comments by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, who claimed Obi would not secure the ticket of any political party in 2027. Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Bwala asserted that Obi would only serve as Director-General of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC). He also alleged that Obi lost 50% of his voter base in the 2023 election, while…